OUTSTANDING HALF PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE OF CHARLES HENRY LEWIS, SEAMAN.

OUTSTANDING HALF PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE OF CHARLES HENRY LEWIS, SEAMAN. The photo with hand tinting and gilt detail, circa 1840’s. The daguerreotype with modern seal placed into a black leather case with velvet interior. The image shows a man holding an extended telescope wearing a white overcoat, black vest, white shirt & large hat. His cheeks have been tinted red, all in a studio setting. The photograph was found in a small folder which was titled “Captain Lewis (great grandfather)” and this folder is present with the lot. Also accompanying the lot is the family Bible with a removed Lewis family register. In the back of the bible are photographs of five members. A copy of a family record starting with Eriah Lewis, 1796 and ending with Melissa Ann Lewis, 1833 includes a listing of Charles H. Lewis born September 26, 1819. A letter dated May 28, 1841 from New York by a J.M. Suttor with salutation line “I remain your friend & old shipmate”. The letter was written in New York and is to “Charles”. This letter talks about whaling, and is an update of things that have happened in the recent past stating “I have told you all the news that I can think of…”. A copy of the letter is included in the lot. While the bible contains no direct information about his career as a sailor, the birthplaces of his children give an indication of his whereabouts in the 1840’s and suggests that he could have been a sailor in the Great Lakes area. His first and fourth children were born in New Haven, NY on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in 1843 & 1849. The second child was born in Port Colborne, Ontario on the northeast shore of Lake Erie in 1845. The third & fifth children were born in Milwaukee, WI on the western shore of Lake Michigan in 1847 & 1852. In 1860 the census lists him as living in Milwaukee, WI and he was employed as the lighthouse keeper in Port Washington, WI from 1874-1880. In the 1860 census it lists his occupation as “sailor” yet the daguerreotype makes him appear to be a man of considerable experience. CONDITION: The plate is in very good condition. Under raking light a series of fine scratches can be seen on the lower portion of the image. Typical minor tarnishing at periphery, the reverse of the plate is silvered indicating that it was electroplated. The daguerreotype was recently re-sealed and the modern paper tape seals have been tinted to give the appearance of age. The image shows a great deal of detail and the figure stands out nicely with almost a three-dimensional appearance. Included is a conservation report from Paul Messier. 9-20792 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2168	$0.00	OUTSTANDING HALF PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE OF CHARLES HENRY LEWIS, SEAMAN. The photo with hand tinting and gilt detail, circa 1840’s. The daguerreotype with modern seal placed into a black leather case with velvet interior. The image shows a man holding an extended telescope wearing a white overcoat, black vest, white shirt & large hat. His cheeks have been tinted red, all in a studio setting. The photograph was found in a small folder which was titled “Captain Lewis (great grandfather)” and this folder is present with the lot. Also accompanying the lot is the family Bible with a removed Lewis family register. In the back of the bible are photographs of five members. A copy of a family record starting with Eriah Lewis, 1796 and ending with Melissa Ann Lewis, 1833 includes a listing of Charles H. Lewis born September 26, 1819. A letter dated May 28, 1841 from New York by a J.M. Suttor with salutation line “I remain your friend & old shipmate”. The letter was written in New York and is to “Charles”. This letter talks about whaling, and is an update of things that have happened in the recent past stating “I have told you all the news that I can think of…”. A copy of the letter is included in the lot. While the bible contains no direct information about his career as a sailor, the birthplaces of his children give an indication of his whereabouts in the 1840’s and suggests that he could have been a sailor in the Great Lakes area. His first and fourth children were born in New Haven, NY on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in 1843 & 1849. The second child was born in Port Colborne, Ontario on the northeast shore of Lake Erie in 1845. The third & fifth children were born in Milwaukee, WI on the western shore of Lake Michigan in 1847 & 1852. In 1860 the census lists him as living in Milwaukee, WI and he was employed as the lighthouse keeper in Port Washington, WI from 1874-1880. In the 1860 census it lists his occupation as “sailor” yet the daguerreotype makes him appear to be a man of considerable experience. CONDITION: The plate is in very good condition. Under raking light a series of fine scratches can be seen on the lower portion of the image. Typical minor tarnishing at periphery, the reverse of the plate is silvered indicating that it was electroplated. The daguerreotype was recently re-sealed and the modern paper tape seals have been tinted to give the appearance of age. The image shows a great deal of detail and the figure stands out nicely with almost a three-dimensional appearance. Included is a conservation report from Paul Messier. 9-20792 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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